In a waterfall project, what is a critical characteristic regarding customer communication?

In a waterfall project, a critical characteristic regarding customer communication is that the customer does not communicate directly with the developers. This approach is inherent to the waterfall methodology, where distinct phases of the project are executed in a sequential manner. In this structure, customer requirements are gathered at the beginning of the project, and the development team works independently to deliver the final product based on those documented requirements.

The lack of direct communication between the customer and developers is designed to ensure that the project stays on track regarding timeline and scope without ongoing alterations based on shifting customer feedback. This protects the integrity of the original project plan and maintains a clear flow of responsibilities. The expectation is that any feedback or concerns will be relayed through project managers or stakeholders, making it a structured communication process rather than a collaborative one throughout development.

In contrast, the other options highlight different aspects of project management that do not align specifically with the waterfall model’s communication characteristics. For example, different project methodologies may benefit from greater flexibility in scheduling or emphasize small team dynamics, but the fundamental nature of customer interaction remains distinct in the waterfall approach.